A DETECTIVE and a fire chief have teamed up to target joyriders who are stealing and torching cars in Winsford.

Detective constable Luke McDonneld and fire brigade divisional officer Kevin Hughes have been assigned to investigate the incidents as part of an initiative to combat arson.

The pair, who are based at Cheshire Fire Brigade's Winsford headquarters in Sadler Road, are targeting boy racers who regularly set fire to cars on land off Whitby's Lane.

Mr Hughes said: 'In the last six months there have been 42 car fires deliberately started in Winsford, mostly around the Over area.

'Youths are getting hold of cars, either stealing them or getting hold of them from another source, and driving them all around town, literally driving them into the ground. Then they are setting them alight.'